1. Capacity development in fragile situations
A Global Perspective
Pilar Domingo
Overseas Development Institute

2. Outline Challenges of fragility
Dilemmas and priorities of capacity development (CD) in fragile situations:
working out the ‘how’, ‘who’ and ‘where’ of CD
Objectives of CD in fragile situations

3. Challenges of ‘fragility’ for capacity development
Heightened levels of mistrust and/or conflict
Polarised and ‘unhelpful’ elites, and atomised societies  fractured social cohesion
Hybrid political orders, and an imbalance between formal and informal institutions

4. Where to start: The ‘how’ of CD
Prioritising do no harm
Prioritising local ownership
Context is everything (understand the politics, and the drivers of fragility)
Accept complexity and unpredictability as a constant
‘Managing’ (if not resolving) dilemmas

5. ‘Who’ to work with: the importance of agency
Working with leadership at multiple levels (state, non-state and community level)
Supporting multi-stakeholder alliances for change

6. ‘Where’ - priority areas for CD in fragile situations
Restoring basic services: security, rule of law, PFM, basic services
Identifying and enhancing ‘demand-led’ opportunities for voice, accountability and governance
Building on existing capacities – however small
Facilitating dialogue and negotiation skills
Building and sharing south-south knowledge

7. Capacity development in fragile situations for what?
Building capacities that reduce fragility
Unleashing the potential for change
Altering mindsets and behavior
Reshaping power and public authority
Enhancing ‘intangible’ outcomes (around legitimacy, voice, accountability and resilient state society relations)